State of Wyoming Files Suit Against Federal Fracking Rule Changes

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – This morning, Governor Mead took action against the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) effort to regulate fracking. At the Governor’s direction, the Attorney General’s office filed a petition for review of final agency action in federal court.

“The BLM proposed this rule that exceeds their authority. This is troubling both legally and from a policy standpoint,” said Governor Mead. “Wyoming has fracking rules – these rules have been in place for years and provide for the safe development of minerals.”

In their filing, the Attorney General’s office argued that the BLM rule conflicts with the Safe Drinking Water Act, exceeds the BLM’s statutory jurisdiction and unlawfully interferes with the State of Wyoming’s hydraulic fracturing regulations. The case has been assigned to US District Court Judge Skavdahl.

“I am hopeful that whatever happens in the case, there is recognition that states like Wyoming should be rewarded for their leadership, not punished by having additional layers of regulation,” Mead said.

A copy of the state’s petition is available on the governor’s website.